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Duke Women's Basketball Coach Kara Lawson shared a powerful message with her players, which has since gone viral, about handling the hard things in life. In her speech, Lawson highlights the flaws of setting milestones for satisfaction and emphasizes that life doesn't get easier, but rather, we get better at handling challenges. She encourages her players to focus on the present and develop mental fortitude, which is essential for overcoming obstacles. Lawson's message, Handle Hard Better, has inspired not just her players but also fans and people from all walks of life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Coach | Kara Lawson |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Team | Duke Women's Basketball |
| Message | "Handle hard better" |
| Advice | "Focus on the present", "Failure isn't fatal", "Sleep well. Eat well. Rest well. Drink water." |
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What You'll Learn
Kara Lawson's viral speech
Duke Women's Basketball Head Coach and athlete Kara Lawson gave a viral speech to her players about handling the challenges of life. In the speech, Lawson shared a powerful message, challenging the idea that life will get easier. Instead, she asserted that people "handle hard better," developing the mental fortitude to navigate difficulties.
Lawson, an All-American at Tennessee, Olympic gold medalist, and WNBA champion, drew from her own experiences to inspire her players. She emphasised the importance of resilience, competitiveness, and toughness in achieving success. Her message extended beyond the basketball court, resonating with people from various walks of life, including teachers, CEOs, coaches, and cancer patients.
In her speech, Lawson encouraged her players to focus on the present and avoid setting distant milestones for satisfaction. She stressed that failure is inevitable but getting back up is a choice. This mentality equips individuals to take on challenges and empowers young women to become powerful leaders. Lawson's speech was not scripted, but her authenticity and ability to communicate effectively captured the attention of many.
The Duke Women's Basketball team shared a recording of Lawson's speech on their social media pages and YouTube, where it quickly went viral, amassing over 1 million views. Lawson's "Handle Hard Better" message inspired players and fans alike, with some creating ""Handle Hard Better" posters and T-shirts to show their support. Lawson's impact extended beyond the court, as she empowered individuals to embrace resilience and take on life's challenges head-on.
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Duke Women's Basketball Coach
Lawson retired from the WNBA in 2015 to focus on her broadcasting career. She began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics of the NBA in 2019. On July 11, 2020, Lawson was hired as the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team. Her first season as head coach lasted only four games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawson has shared powerful messages with her players, challenging the notion of setting milestones for satisfaction. She emphasizes that life doesn't get easier, but rather, individuals get better at handling challenges. This mindset shift is a key aspect of her coaching philosophy, focusing on mental fortitude and resilience. Lawson also stresses the importance of self-care, including sleep, nutrition, rest, hydration, and taking breaks, as essential components of being able to "handle hard."
Lawson's impact extends beyond the basketball court. She recognizes the importance of developing future female leaders and empowering young women to become change-makers. Her messages have resonated widely, with her talks and videos gaining viral attention and inspiring people both within and beyond the sporting arena.
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Star athlete
Duke Women's Basketball Head Coach and star athlete Kara Lawson gave her players a powerful message about handling the challenges of life. Lawson, who has had a stellar athletic career, playing for the U.S. National Team, coaching for the Boston Celtics, and broadcasting for ESPN, shared her wisdom in a viral video that resonated with people from all walks of life.
In her speech, Lawson emphasized that waiting for life to get easier is futile. Instead, she asserted, "What happens is you handle hard better." This message struck a chord with many, as it goes beyond the realm of sports and applies to various aspects of life. Lawson's authenticity and effective communication skills, honed during her time as a commentator, made her message easily relatable and inspiring.
Lawson's advice extends beyond acquiring skills and focuses on cultivating mental fortitude. She acknowledges that failure is inevitable but emphasizes that quickly getting back up is a choice. This mental toughness equips individuals to face adversity and approach challenges with resilience. Lawson's words empower individuals to embrace the "huge responsibility" of taking on difficult tasks and believing in their capabilities.
As a coach, Lawson aims to equip her players with the tools to succeed both on and off the basketball court. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, including adequate sleep, nutrition, rest, hydration, and taking breaks when needed. This holistic approach ensures her players have the energy and toughness to navigate life's challenges. Lawson's message is a testament to her own resilience and ability to overcome obstacles, serving as a source of inspiration for her players and fans alike.
Lawson's "Handle Hard Better" philosophy has become a rallying cry for a new generation of fans, embracing the idea that while life may not get easier, their ability to handle challenges will strengthen over time. Her impact extends beyond the basketball court, as she empowers young women to become powerful leaders and change the world. Lawson's message serves as a reminder that facing adversity head-on and cultivating mental fortitude are key aspects of personal growth and success.
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Lessons from Kara Lawson's speech
Duke Women's Basketball Coach Kara Lawson shared a powerful message with her players, highlighting the pitfalls of setting broad goals and waiting for life to get easier. Her message, "Handle hard better", has since gone viral, resonating with people beyond the world of sports. Here are some key lessons from her speech:
Don't Wait for Life to Get Easier
Lawson challenges the notion that life will eventually get easier. Instead, she asserts that "you handle hard better". This means recognizing that challenges and obstacles will always be present, but our ability to deal with them improves over time. It's about building mental fortitude and resilience rather than expecting external circumstances to change or become more manageable.
Focus on the Present
Lawson emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present moment. Instead of setting distant milestones or having vague long-term goals, it's crucial to centre our attention on the here and now. This means taking on challenges as they come and developing the skills and mindset to tackle them head-on.
Self-Care is Essential
To "handle hard", Lawson stresses the importance of self-care. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, resting, drinking water, and taking breaks when needed. By taking care of ourselves, we ensure we have the energy and resilience to face difficulties and persevere.
Believe in Others
Lawson highlights the importance of believing in others and supporting future female leaders. She recognizes the potential of the young women she coaches, understanding that they can achieve incredible things both within basketball and beyond. By empowering them and instilling confidence, she helps them realize their capabilities and take on challenges they may have previously thought impossible.
Failure is Not Fatal
Lawson's message also conveys that failure is an inevitable part of life, but it doesn't define us or our talent. Getting knocked down is normal, but getting back up is a choice. This perspective helps maintain a positive mindset and encourages perseverance in the face of setbacks.
Kara Lawson's speech provides valuable insights into facing life's challenges. By embracing the "handle hard better" mentality, individuals can develop the mental fortitude and resilience to take on difficult tasks and overcome obstacles in their path.
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Kara Lawson's career
Kara Marie Lawson, born on February 14, 1981, is an American basketball coach and former player. She is currently the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team.
Lawson attended the University of Tennessee and played for the Lady Vols basketball team. She graduated in 2003 with a degree in finance. During her collegiate career, she led the Lady Vols to three NCAA Final Four appearances and was a four-time All-SEC selection and a two-time All-America choice. In 2003, she was selected as the fifth overall pick by the Detroit Shock in the WNBA Draft but was later traded to the Sacramento Monarchs.
Lawson played professionally in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for 13 seasons, playing for the Sacramento Monarchs, Connecticut Sun, and Washington Mystics. She won a WNBA championship with the Monarchs in 2005 and was selected as a WNBA All-Star in 2007. She also represented the United States in international competitions, winning a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
Following her retirement from the WNBA in 2015, Lawson began her broadcasting career as a television analyst for ESPN and the Washington Wizards. She became the first woman to work as a nationwide broadcast analyst for an NBA game in 2007. In 2019, she joined the Boston Celtics of the NBA as an assistant coach, becoming the first primary female TV analyst for an NBA team.
In 2021, Lawson was a commentator for women's basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics. She also coached the United States women's national 3x3 team to gold in the same Olympics. Lawson was appointed as the head coach of the Duke University women's basketball team in 2019, guiding the team to three consecutive 20-win seasons and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. She has compiled a 97-41 overall record in her five seasons at Duke.
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Frequently asked questions
'Do hard better' is a message that Duke Women's Basketball Coach Kara Lawson shared with her players. The message highlights the flaws of setting milestones for satisfaction. Lawson encourages her players to focus on the present and improve their mental fortitude.
Kara Lawson's viral speech was not scripted. In it, she told her players, "We all wait in life for things to get easier. It will never get easier. What happens is you handle hard better."
The main takeaway from Kara Lawson's message is that life will not get easier, but you will get better at handling hardship. Lawson encourages her players to focus on the present and improve their mental toughness.
Kara Lawson is the Head Coach of the Duke Women's Basketball team and a star athlete. She has covered the sports spectrum from playing for the U.S. National Team to coaching for the Boston Celtics and broadcasting for ESPN.
